04-01-2003 ICE MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ice Arena Commission Minuets April I,2003 Page 2 River High School, Becker/Big Lake High School, the Skating Academy, and the Skating Club. Changes being proposed for the 2003-04 season were reviewed. The most significant change deals with Rogers establishing their own high school boys and girls teams and a Rogers Youth Hockey Association. Rich noted that ERYHA had about 7% of their hours as non-prime hours for each of the last four years and it is proposed that for the next season the Association will also have about 7% of their time in the non-prime category. District 728 Athletic Director John Barth updated the Commission on the ice time needs for both high schools. A handout was distributed indicating the strategies for scheduling time at the ice arena for both the games and practices. Mr. Barth indicated that the school is trying to be as flexible as possible in working with the city and ERYHA so that everyone's needs can be addressed. The proposal from Mr. Barth included the concept of some morning practices, some late time slot practices,and moving some games to weekends versus weekdays. Commissioners Halgren and Martin indicated their support for the flexibility that the high school is showing in helping everyone meet their needs for ice time. MV[r. Martin went on to review some history of prime versus non-prime hours at the arena including from the time prior to the city taking over management of the skating facility. 4. Open Mike Mark Malzahn, ERYHA President,addressed the Commission. 1Vir. Malzahn indicated that the proposal for 1200 total hours and 7°/0 non-prime hours is acceptable to the ERYHA. Mr. Malzahn requested that more weekday prime hours be available to ERYHA and stated that prime hours in March are not very valuable to ERYHA. It was noted that this was an ERYHA scheduling issue and needs to be addressed prior to the season starting. In this regard, a possible turn back of hours with appropriate notice was requested by ERYHA. Commissioners indicated a desire to be somewhat flexible but stated that the city could not accept hours back that they could not resell or use itself as open skating. Mr. Malzahn raised the question regarding whether or not the ERYHA rates were frozen for three or three and one-half seasons and if the organization had made one or two payments for the bleachers. Arena Manager Czech will respond to these questions after consulting with the finance director and reviewing past correspondence and written agreements. Commission members noted that through good communication between the city, the high school, and ERYHA that most of the skating hours and scheduling issues could be addressed. 7. Refrigeration Leak Arena Manager Rich Czech provided and update to the Commission on the ice plant leak (of Freon) last fall. City insurance covered the $6,500 expense to replace the refrigerant and anti- vibration grates have been installed. 8. Arena/Ice Rink Usage Policy Arena Manager Czech indicated that the ice rink policy,which the Commission adopted last fall, has proved to be successful. There was very little need to enforce the new policy and the ice "rutting"issue has been greatly reduced.